There is an old proverb that says, "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." The weather in March (in some countries, anyway) begins harsh and cold and ends mild and warm. March is, climatologically speaking, a month of transition.

This antipodal nature is even truer of the month of Av (whose astrological sign is the Lion!). Av begins in gloom and grief; "Once Av enters, we diminish joy" (Taanit 26b).

Then the sadness increases, culminating in Tishah B'Av, when we mourn and relive the destruction of both Batei Mikdash. But once the Ninth is past, we emerge from the mood of worry and begin a process of consolation. The seven haftarot after Tishah B'Av encourage us that the destruction will not last forever, and that Mashiach will come.

A real emotional turning point comes on the Fifteenth of Av. The last mishnah in Taanit (26b) teaches how this day was celebrated during the time of the Beit Hamikdash: Said Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel: There were no greater festivals for Israel than the Fifteenth of Av and Yom Kippur, when the (unmarried) daughters of Jerusalem would go out . . . and dance in the vineyards . . . This dancing became the beginning of shidduchim. In discussing this mishnah, the gemara advances several bases for the significance of the 15th of Av (Yom Kippur is obviously appropriate for rejoicing, since it is the occasion of forgiveness). Among them, Rabbah and Rav Yosef point out that this was the end of the period for cutting wood for the altar. Until this day, the peak of the heat of the summer, wood dries thoroughly and does not become wormy. After the 15th, as the days become shorter and the nights longer, wood does not dry properly and is unfit for the altar.

The donation of wood for the altar was an occasion of great joy. Based on a verse in Nechemiah (10:35), we learn (see Taanit 26a, 28a, and Megillat Taanit chapter 5) that after the exiles returned from Babylon, they found that there was no wood for the altar, so certain families volunteered to donate the wood every year on certain days. But the 15th of Av, when the wood cutting came to an end, was the most joyous. On that day, anyone who wanted to could donate the precious wood. The 15th of Av, therefore, is the end of a season of accomplishment, and is celebrated, says the Tosfot Yom Tov, in the same way that we rejoice at the completion of a masechta. The mood of happiness is motivated by the eagerness to serve Hashem, while enabling others to serve Him as well. From the 15th of Av on, we are enjoined (Taanit 31a) to take advantage of the lengthening nights to add to our time for learning Torah.

In this sense, the 15th of Av really begins the preparation for Elul and the Yamim Noraim in a spirit of simcha, avodat Hashem and limmud Ha'Torah.

The Nachal Yitzchak (Rav Yitzchak Eizik of Zutchke), suggests that this is hinted at in the beginning of Nitzavim (29:9-10): It says, "You are standing . . ." --- meaning, you stand in full repentence --- "MECHOTEV EITZECHA AD SHOEV MEIMECHA, from the chopping of the wood (the Fifteenth of Av) until the drawing of water (Hoshannah Rabbah, the end of the period of Simchat Bet Hashoeva)."

Av begins in melancholy, but changes to the reassurance, commitment and excitement of returning in Teshuvah to Hashem.

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